Cafe the Lodge opens in south Bethlehem

Cafe the Lodge offers those with mental illness a place to work and a sense of purpose.

January 19, 2013|Retail Watch | Scanning the Storefronts

The Poconos could become home to a new, massive indoor water park resort. Kalahari Resorts, whichhas resorts in Sandusky, Ohio, and Wisconsin Dells, Wis., has begun planning and development on a proposed $350 million, 150-acre complex immediately off I-380 in Tobyhanna Township. The complex, tentatively scheduled to open in late 2014 or early 2015, would feature a resort with 450 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 100,0000-square-foot indoor water park, a 2-acre outdoor water park, a 65,000-square-foot convention center, a 30,000-square-foot indoor theme park/arcade and 6,000 square feet of retail space, including two full-service restaurants. This is still in the planning stages and we'll keep you up to date as this project progresses. For more information about the current Kalahari resort locations, go online to http://www.kalahariresorts.com.

There's good news and bad news to report out of Emmaus. The Emmaus Bowling Center at 4651 Colebrook Ave. has closed and has a "for sale" sign out front. The good news is that the former Emmaus Diner at 1418 Chestnut St. will reopen as the East Penn Diner in the spring.

Sign-A-Rama, a full-service sign store, is open in Whitehall Township. The business is at 1952 MacArthur Road. To find out more, call 610-434-7446.

Baker's Shoes, on the first floor of the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall, has closed. Another shoe retailer, Clarks, is expected to take its place in the fall.

Just a final note: Thanks to all the readers who now follow us on Twitter. If you haven't followed us yet, you can do so at @callretailwatch.

Jennifer Sheehan is temporarily filling in for Retail Watch reporter Irene Kraft. Retail Watch keeps track of new store, restaurant and bank development in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question about a retail construction project, a store opening or a chain you'd like to see come to the area? Email retailwatch@mcall.com. And we're back on Twitter @callretailwatch. Retail Watch appears every Sunday. Follow breaking news on our new Lehigh Valley Restaurants blog, themorningcall.com/restaurants.